So, thank you all for the input! I also followed KT4Wextra's advice to contact the Montana DMV. And I'm absolutely positively surprised by the detailed answer! You would never get such a well written, detailed answer over here in Europe from any authority...
So, here's what they say:
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General information:
The dealership will issue a 40 day temporary registration permit. And see that your Montana county of residence receives the title work unless you have previous arrangements with your registered agent.
Title and registration will take place in your Montana County of residence. You can complete the title and registration either in person or through the mail. You can find the contact information for your county office @
https://dojmt.gov/driving/county-treasurer-motor-vehicle-offices/ . Ravalli County does not do title work through the mail.
The forms referred to below can be found on our website @
https://dojmt.gov/driving/vehicle-title-registration-forms/ . They are in fillable format can be completed online and printed for your signature.
- The out of state title signed off and signature(s) of seller notarized if necessary. If the title is already in your name, it is not necessary to sign off the title. Or MCO from the dealership. The dealership will convey their interest using the Dealer Section on the MV1. The dealership will issue a 40 day temporary registration permit. And see that your Montana county of residence receives the title work unless you have previous arrangements with your registered agent.
- Application for Montana title (MV1) – please complete all of the information including Section C if there is a lien holder, there is an $8.00 to file a lien. Montana is not a title holding state. You will receive the Montana title and the secured party will receive a lien filing copy from which they can repo or release the lien. We will need your driver license number and the driver license of any co-owner.
- You may want to take a look at the MV65- Power of Attorney Form in case you have a family member who can help with the title and registration process. This would allow whoever you designate to sign any documents for you.
- When sending the out of state title through the mail to a family member or your county motor vehicle department, please send it in a secure manner.
It is important to work directly with your county office for price and details of where to mail license plates. Some counties have a county option tax, others do not and one charges a lesser percent. The information I have provided is general title and registration information. You may be required to present additional paperwork to complete the process once the county office has an opportunity to review the title work.
You may also be asked to provide proof of residency; we do not have a process to title and register a vehicle by non-residents.
Effective October 1, 2013 if a person owns property in Montana they may complete title and registration, in their Montana County of residence. You may be asked for a paid property tax statement or another proof of property ownership.
The vehicle need not be present for title and registration to occur.
While we do not require a person to have a Montana driver license at the time of title and registration when the new Montana driver license is obtained it is important to have your customer record up dated at the county office.
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So, in case I buy from a dealer, it seems like I won't have to worry about anything else than the insurance. I was in contact with a few agents and got told that the insurance can be bound the same day I apply for it. Within a few days I'll get the paperwork mailed, but technically the vehicle would be insured from day 1.
So, if I buy from a dealership it should not be a problem and in case I buy from private, I guess I'll just have to work out a deal.
cheers,
Matt